Putting together a mock draft in February before the free-agency period begins is tough duty.

It's really just a test run before the real race begins in early April. You try to go slow just to be safe, realizing that there is a lot more work to do.

We all know the positions of need for each of the 32 teams, but what we don't know is how they will fill them in free-agency. That's what makes putting together a mock draft at this time of the year so tough.

Heck, we haven't even had the combine.

What if a player who is expected to go high throws like your sister? What if a speed receiver suddenly isn't so speedy?

There's still a lot of evaluation left to do, a lot of player dissecting still to come. We saw all this with the idea that the mock draft that follows should not be printed and kept. It is just a start, nothing more.

So when it comes grading time for mock drafts -- yes, there are sites that do such a thing -- don't use this one.

It's just a start. The real race comes a little over two months from now.

(Updated on February 15, 2007)

2007 NFL Mock Draft
1. Oakland Raiders

Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame -- The Raiders will be tempted by LSU's JaMarcus Russell, but Quinn is the better prospect. I think in the end the Raiders will take the safer quarterback.
2. Detroit Lions

Joe Thomas, T, Wisconsin -- They pass on taking Russell to take a rock-solid tackle in the second spot. They might also consider a runner here with the news that Kevin Jones is out for half the season.
3. Cleveland Browns

Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma -- This guy can be the next Eric Dickerson. The Browns need that kind of runner to help set up the passing game.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech -- They can't believe he's still here. What a steal he will be. He is a game breaker this team needs.
5. Arizona Cardinals

Alan Branch, DT, Michigan -- They need a power player in the middle of their line. Branch is a strong player who will help make Darnell Dockett better.
6. Washington Redskins

Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson -- They have to get better on their defensive front. Adams is a strong player who can play the run and the pass.
7. Minnesota Vikings

Ted Ginn Jr., WR, Ohio State -- They lack a big-play threat and Ginn Jr. can be that. This is a need pick.
8. Houston Texans

Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville -- They need to get better inside to help Mario Williams outside. Okoye has a chance to be a star.
9. Miami Dolphins

JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU -- They're still not sure about Daunte Culpepper, so they take a shot on Russell. Plus, Cam Cameron was in San Diego when Philip Rivers learned behind Drew Brees before taking over.
10. Atlanta Falcons

Leon Hall, CB, Michigan -- The corner spot opposite DeAngelo Hall is a mess. Now they have Hall and Hall.
11. San Francisco 49ers

Dwayne Jarrett, WR, USC -- They have to get a go-to guy for Alex Smith. Jarrett has that type of ability, although he isn't a burner.
12. Buffalo Bills

Levi Brown, T, Penn State -- They need to improve their offensive line, and Brown can play left tackle, which would allow them to move Jason Peters back to right tackle.
13. St. Louis Rams

Jamaal Anderson, DE, Arkansas -- This is a team in dire need of help along the defensive line. Anderson is a pure speed rusher off the edge.
14. Carolina Panthers

Reggie Nelson, S, Florida -- He will give the Panthers a rangy safety who can cover a lot of ground. They need that type of player in their back two.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers

Charles Johnson, DE-LB, Georgia -- He is a speed player who can factor in at both spots for the Steelers, depending on the defense. If Mike Tomlin wants to use a 4-3, Johnson can be a down end, or an outside linebacker in the 3-4.
16. Green Bay Packers

Marshawn Lynch, RB, California -- The Packers are in need of a big-play back, and Lynch can be that guy. He has explosive speed.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars

Jarvis Moss, DE, Florida -- The value here is too great to pass up. For all their success on defense, they still don't have a great speed rusher.
18. Cincinnati Bengals

LaRon Landry, S, LSU -- The Bengals are considering moving safety Madieu Williams to corner and Landry can make that a reality. He didn't play as well as a senior as he did as a junior, but the skills are there.
19. Tennessee Titans

Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU -- When you get a franchise quarterback, it makes sense to get him a big-play receiver. Bowe can be that guy.
20. New York Giants

Darrell Revis, CB, Pittsburgh -- They have to get better and younger on the corners. Sam Madison is on his last legs.
21. Denver Broncos

Adam Carriker, DE, Nebraska -- This is a team that needs help along the defensive front. Carriker is a perfect guy who can play both the run and the pass.
22. Dallas Cowboys

Patrick Willis, LB, Mississippi -- He is a fierce tackler who will add a lot to the middle of the Dallas defense.
23. Kansas City Chiefs

Sidney Rice, WR, South Carolina -- They need a threat outside to help the passing game. Too many teams can load up against the run without respecting the receivers.
24. New England Patriots (from Seattle)

Michael Griffin, S, Texas -- Rodney Harrison is running out of steam and they need a replacement. Griffin would seem to be a perfect choice with his ability to tackle.
25. N.Y. Jets

Greg Olsen, TE, Miami -- They get little from the tight end position in terms of pass catching, and Olsen can change that. Eric Mangini comes from the Bill Belichick tree and saw him draft Daniel Graham and Ben Watson in the first round.
26. Philadelphia Eagles

Paul Posluszny, LB, Penn State -- The linebacker spot is a big area of concern for the Eagles defense. This kid can play in the middle or on the outside.
27. New Orleans Saints

Tank Tyler, DT, North Carolina State -- They need to get more physical in the middle of their line and Tyler can do that at 320 pounds. A corner is also possible here.
28. New England Patriots

Anthony Spencer, OLB, Purdue -- He played defensive end in college, but can be a 3-4 speed rusher for the Patriots.
29. Baltimore Ravens

Aaron Ross, CB, Texas -- Samari Rolle is on his last legs and their defensive style mandates having quality cover corners. Ross is a smooth player who has played at a high level at a big-time program.
30. San Diego Chargers

Robert Meachem, WR, Tennessee -- The Chargers need to improve their receiving group and Meacham can run. He has the explosive speed NFL teams love.
31. Chicago Bears

Zach Miller, TE, Arizona State -- He gives Rex Grossman a pass-catching threat in the middle of the field. That will take some of the pressure off his making down-the-field throws.
32. Indianapolis Colts

Jon Beason, LB, Miami -- They might lose Cato June and Rob Morris, so they have to get a linebacker who can run. Beason is that guy.

JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU -- Why not? Raiders need a quarterback who can handle the vertical game. Russell qualifies. Still, you never can be sure when it comes to the Raiders -- though it's probably safe to assume they don't use this first-rounder on a kicker.
2. Detroit Lions

Joe Thomas, T, Wisconsin -- There's a struggle going on over this pick, with quarterback a possibility. But don't the Lions have to find someone to protect their QB? Thomas is the easily the best tackle in this draft.
3. Cleveland Browns

Adrian Peterson, RB, Okahoma -- Sooner or later, the Browns must find a legit running back. Looks like it could be sooner. The only question about Peterson is durability, but I like him as an upgrade over Reuben Droughns.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech -- Joey Galloway can't play until he's 50. So how about looking for help? You can begin here with the best player on the board. Johnson catches everything, which means maybe an offense returns to Tampa Bay.
5. Arizona Cardinals

Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson -- Former Pittsburgh assistant Ken Whisenhunt knows the value of defense, and Adams was one of the nation's best pass rushers. Let the Cards pick up an OL later.
6. Washington Redskins

Jamaal Anderson, DE, Arkansas -- One thing missing from last year's Redskins: a pass rush. Anderson had 13.5 sacks as a junior, which means he can help. Adams is a possibility, too, if he's here.
7. Minnesota Vikings

Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame -- No, I don't think Tarvaris Jackson is the answer, either. Quinn's stock has dropped, and if the Lions pass on him, he falls this far. I know the Vikes could use DL help and any number of WRs, but how do you pass on Quinn?
8. Houston Texans

Alan Branch, DT, Michigan -- If Adrian Peterson lasts this long, the Texans take him. If not, they look at the other side of the ball, hoping to shore up a defense that last year added Mario Williams and linebacker DeMeco Ryans.
9. Miami Dolphins

Levi Brown, T, Penn State -- Yeah, maybe the 'Phins look at Quinn if he's here. But there are just too many bodies at one position. They need to address an inadequate offensive line, and Brown could be the answer.
10. Atlanta Falcons

Dwayne Jarrett, WR, USC -- The 49ers have the franchise quarterback and running back. Now it's time to give Alex Smith a franchise wide receiver. Jarrett is the gamebreaker the Niners haven't had since Terrell Owens left town.
12. Buffalo Bills

Leon Hall, CB, Michigan -- You have to figure the Bills lose cornerback Nate Clements in free-agency. So that means they look for a replacement. This looks like the best choice out there.
13. St. Louis Rams

Patrick Willis, LB, Mississippi -- The Rams could just as easily look at the defensive line or secondary, but they have holes at linebacker, too. Willis is a productive middle linebacker who hits hard and seldom misses tackles.
14. Carolina Panthers

Ted Ginn, WR, Ohio State -- The Panthers need a speed receiver to pair with Steve Smith, someone to stretch the field to take the heat off Smith. This is the guy -- provided, of course, he's there.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers

Charles Johnson, DE, Georgia -- Nobody is sure if Mike Tomlin sticks with the 3-4 or imports the 4-3 from Minnesota. Johnson can provide the outside push the Steelers need, with 9.5 sacks and 19 tackles for losses.
16. Green Bay Packers

Marshawn Lynch, RB, California -- It's time to think about replacing Ahman Green. I like Lynch because he can catch as well as run, which makes him ideal in this offense.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars

Jarvis Moss, DE, Florida -- The Jags are always on the lookout for playmakers, and Moss is one of the most promising and the most active ones out there. He not only rushes the passer; he's terrific blocking kicks. Ask Steve Spurrier.
18. Cincinnati Bengals

Darrelle Revis, CB, Pittsburgh -- The Bengals were vulnerable at cornerback and should start to make changes there. Opponents rarely threw at the athletic Revis, who is a special-teams threat, and I'd like that if I were Marvin Lewis.
19. Tennessee Titans

Adam Carriker, DE, Nebraska -- The Titans need help almost everywhere outside of QB. Wide receiver. Offensive line. Defensive line. You name it. Carriker has the size to anchor a DE position, and the guy never quits.
20. New York Giants

Reggie Nelson, S, Florida -- It's Jerry Reese's first draft as GM, and where does he start? Cornerback? Wide receiver? Linebacker? The Giants can always use secondary help, and Nelson has rare ability for a safety: He can hit and cover.
21. Denver Broncos

Daymeion Hughes, CB, California -- With the loss of Darrent Williams, the Broncos have a need at this position. They could use a pass rusher, too, but first things first. Hughes was productive at Cal, but stay tuned for his 40 times. If they're slow, his value drops.
22. Dallas Cowboys

LaRon Landry, S, LSU -- He might be the best safety prospect in the draft, which means Dallas should be interested. The Cowboys could use help on the OL, too, but I don't see anyone here. Landry could be a steal at this position.
23. Kansas City Chiefs

Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU -- One of these days the Chiefs will find a wide receiver, and maybe it's now. Bowe has terrific hands and is one reason Jamarcus Russell is rated so highly.
24. New England Patriots (from Seattle)

Sidney Rice, WR, South Carolina -- I know, Bill Belichick probably will wait on a WR. Heck, if he waited a season, why can't he wait a round or two of the draft? But Rice is too good to pass up. He has terrific hands, makes big catches and is dependable.
25. N.Y. Jets

Zach Miller, TE, Arizona State -- It's time Eric Mangini helps his offense, and while I could see the Jets going for a RB, I can also see them looking here. Why? There's not a tight end of consequence on the roster. Miller is the best one in this draft.
26. Philadelphia Eagles

Michael Griffin, S, Texas -- I don't like the Eagles linebackers, either, but look where they are at safety. They're liable to lose Michael Lewis, and Brian Dawkins turns 34 this season. Griffin is the perfect understudy for Dawkins. Plus, he's an outstanding special-teams performer.
27. New Orleans Saints

Lawrence Timmons, LB, Florida State -- The Saints can stop looking on offense. They have playmakers galore. It's time to plug holes on the other side, and you can look almost everywhere. I like Timmons because he flies to the ball.
28. New England Patriots

Paul Posluszny, LB, Penn State -- You figure the Patriots must start looking at linebacker, too. Tedy Bruschi and Mike Vrabel are getting old. Junior Seau is just about out of gas. So take a look at Posluszny, a guy who's instinctive and productive and who fits inside in the Pats' scheme.
29. Baltimore Ravens

Michael Bush, RB, Louisville -- Is Jamal Lewis gone? I don't know. What I do know is the Ravens need to find another back. This is their chance, with Bush the best choice if he is healed from last year's injury.
30. San Diego Chargers

Brandon Meriweather, S, Miami -- Yeah, I know the Bolts need a WR and OL, but what happens when they cut Terrence Kiel? Yep, they'll have a hole to fill in that prized defense.
31. Chicago Bears

Arron Sears, T/G, Tennessee -- Chicago must address aging offensive line that could lose Ruben Brown. The University of Texas' Justin Blaylock or Sears would be ideal options.
32. Indianapolis Colts

Brandon Siler, LB, Florida -- If Cato June leaves, as expected, the Colts can start looking for more linebackers. And they should check out Siler. He's small. He's fast. He's productive. In short, he's a perfect fit for the Colts D.

Patrick Willis is my favorite player in this draft. He is "gettable" for us. He is by far not the biggest need, but I think he would bring an attitude to the defense that we lack. Roy had a swagger, but he lost that when he forgot how to cover.

2002...Julius Peppers (I knew we wouldn't get him) & Roy Williams (I was/am thrilled.)
2003...Terrell Suggs. Liked him so much I went to his 2nd Pro day workout.
2004...Steven Jackson (I nearly died when he was there and we traded down.)
2005...Mike Williams (What a disappointment so far.)
2006...Bobby Carpenter (I was at the Draft and flying high.)

My only concern is this. Do you guys really think (going on whats been written previous about the secondary and the cap charge) that we will go down the Landry route. I mean the cap charge/costs of our current secondary with the previous first rounders or people who didnt play too good last year imho only but are being paid like a first rounder.

I would love to see an improvement in our secondary to help bolster the whole defence but there are lots of other things i would wish for as well. i just think maybe this is a bit ott for the defensive backfield. however i enjoy to read your opinions here as opposed to posting so please if ive missed something blindingly obvious then enlighten me.

We are at the point with our roster that we don't worry about how much we have tied up at any particular position; we need to take playmakers no matter what. I love Watkins and think that he will show major improvement next year, but if Landry is available at our spot I will beat the card to the podium running from Las Vegas.

2002...Julius Peppers (I knew we wouldn't get him) & Roy Williams (I was/am thrilled.)
2003...Terrell Suggs. Liked him so much I went to his 2nd Pro day workout.
2004...Steven Jackson (I nearly died when he was there and we traded down.)
2005...Mike Williams (What a disappointment so far.)
2006...Bobby Carpenter (I was at the Draft and flying high.)

Williams is still far and away the biggest disappointment for me. I really thought he could carve out a big time niche in the NFL.

Patrick Willis is my favorite player in this draft. He is "gettable" for us. He is by far not the biggest need, but I think he would bring an attitude to the defense that we lack. Roy had a swagger, but he lost that when he forgot how to cover.

Give me Landry all day. I could care less if we go that high with a safety. The whole "we have too much vested in the secondary" and the "we can't go defensive in the first" or the "we have too many first round picks on defense" arguments are garbage IMO. That guy would be a HUGE upgrade for our defense...and I am a fan of Watkins...but he's no Landry.

Give me Landry all day. I could care less if we go that high with a safety. The whole "we have too much vested in the secondary" and the "we can't go defensive in the first" or the "we have too many first round picks on defense" arguments are garbage IMO. That guy would be a HUGE upgrade for our defense...and I am a fan of Watkins...but he's no Landry.

Totally agree. He is my number 1 hope this year, though I think he might go top 10.

Give me Landry all day. I could care less if we go that high with a safety. The whole "we have too much vested in the secondary" and the "we can't go defensive in the first" or the "we have too many first round picks on defense" arguments are garbage IMO. That guy would be a HUGE upgrade for our defense...and I am a fan of Watkins...but he's no Landry.

I prefer Reggie Nelson. My reasoning it that I feel he is talented enough that he could play both CB and FS. He is a total ballhawk and has an Ed Reed feel to him.